Voodoo Highway

This is the second album from cult US hard rockers Badlands and should have seen them become much bigger but due to a big band fallout it all went wrong. It's such a shame as Voodoo Highway has some brilliant songs on that would appeal to fans of 70's bands like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, through to the likes of Aerosmith, Whitesnake, Thunder, The Black Crowes and maybe even the likes of Black Label Society in regards to some of the meaty riffs on here!For those that haven't heard of them, Badlands were a supergroup of sorts, featuring guitarist Jake E. Lee who had been in Ozzy Osbourne's band, singer Ray Gillen, who was briefly in Black Sabbath and also Eric Singer of KISS on drums(on the first album anyway) so potentially an amazing band and their self-titled debut was well received and despite various arguments between band members and Singers' firing Badlands released Voodoo Highway in 1991. The album starts well but its track 3, Shine On where things really pick up and Whiskey Dust, Soul Stealer, Silver Horses and Love Don't Mean A Thing are truly great songs, Jake E. Lee proving himself to be something of a guitar god with a good understanding of what real hard bluesy rock should sound like.This band has been recommended to me by a few people so Badlands seem to have become some sort of cult band for those in the know and it's easy to see why. It might have just fallen short of a classic in my eyes but if you like the bands listed above and 70s and 80's hard rock in general then you need to check these boys out!

This is a quality follow up to the debut record.New drummer Jeff Martin fits in perfectly,locking in the engine room with the fabulously reliable Greg Chaisson on the bass.This time round theres a bit more emphasis on acoustic(title track Voodoo Highway) & a bit of slide guitar by the amazingly brilliant Jake E Lee,but relax this is QUALITY blues based heavy rock that grooves and smoulders and despite Ray Gillens health issues and deteriorating friendships with the rest of the group,he is on fire again.Brilliant stuff,and another time this would be a certainty for a platinum disc,alas the musical landscape had changed and Bandlands never got the attention,media coverage,or lucky break they deserved,huge pity!Highlights include The Last time, Soul Stealer & 3 Day Funk not forgetting a cover of a James Taylor tune,Fire & Rain & Heavens Train,the album gets stronger the further into it you delve! Of the 3 albums this is arguably the weakest,yet I think that has more to do with the other 2 albums being so very strong,particularly the debut album.

If you like their self-titled debut and 'Dusk', you should get this.Ray Gillen's vocals, Jake E. Lee's unique hard style and song-writing make this a raw and in-your-face aural assault.No point highlighting specific tracks, as Badlands always delivered. However, 'Silver Horses' sounds like early 1970s blues rock.With the summer imminent, get it in the car stereo and play it loud. Alongside a hot chick, preferably.

Love Badlands! Awesome album.

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Absolutely loved this album when I first heard it, it's such a shame that it's so hard to get hold of.

With more attention to hooks and melody, this second Badlands album is an even match for the debut.Overall there's less guitar pyrotechnics and more of a distinct Led Zeppelin (or indeed overall 70s) vibe going.Every bit as good as the debut, just different in approach.

I have to say I was amused by the other reviewer . It's true , this will not be everyone's cup of tea . Not everyone will like the cover version of Fire And Rain , nor the finger picking Joe's Blues . I did , and found that whilst this album didn't attain the heights of the first album , it was good enough , none the less .